05/15/2026
Coup Thong Changes
Out with the old…
…In with the new!
Effective at the start of this year, the Lodge Executive Committee has made several changes to the coup thong recognition program that you will want to be aware of.
Happy 250th Birthday USA! ... This year marks the 250 Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and the lodge is celebrating with a pair of multicolored: red/white/blue tenure beads in place of the normal black, red, or white tenure beads. New Ordeal members will be given both a pair black beads for their induction and a pair of red/white/blue beads.
New Totem Available ... That reflects our current lodge totem of a red stylized teepee on a yellow background with green circular border. This totem may now be worn starting at the Ordeal membership level where previously it was given out at Brotherhood membership. A small number of the prior totems are still available for sale in the Trading post.
Old Ribbons Out / New Ribbons In ... The past red and white ribbon of the OA Pocket device or alternatives for recipients of the Founder’s Award and/or Fred A. Zimmann Distinguished Service Award are being replaced with a handmade black ribbon. These ribbons have an oval shaped device at the top that goes against the claws and around the two strands of leather and have a small slit ring at the bottom to secure the lodge totem.
For various award recipients will get to wear a special ribbon:
• Vigil Honor - white
• Founder's Award - red
• Fred A. Zimmann Distinguished Service Award - blue
Recipients of more than one of these awards can wear a ribbon with the appropriate color combinations.
These totems and an appropriate ribbon were given out to participants of the 2026 Winterfest event. These items will also be given to new Brotherhood members at the 2026 Spring Conclave where they will also be given out to new Ordeal members going forward. Existing Ordeal members and award recipients may purchase these items from the trading post.
With the change this allows the lodge to reduce the Brotherhood Candidate fee by $5 effective with the 2026 Fall Conclave.
Recognition Bead Changes and Additions ... In an effort to coordinate the colors between the coup thong program, the lodge event bead program, and the lodge hard hat program) some bead color changes are being made:
Bead Color Changes
• Top Youth Awards (Scouts BSA Eagle, Venturing Summit, or Sea Scouting Quartermaster award) - changes from red to silver and is to be worn immediately above your call out bead. The bead is only available as a youth shaped bead (round).
• Summer Camp Staff Award - changes from purple to red (to match the lodge event bead color)
• Ceremonial Award - changes from orange to black (to match the lodge event bead color and the hard hat program)
New Beads Added:
• Unit Representative and Adviser Award - blue
• Scouting Service Award - dark green (matches the hard hat program color)
• Lodge Executive Committee Award - yellow (matches the hard hat program color)
• Section, Regional, or National Leadership Award - purple
Other Recognition Beads continue with some name changes:
• Ordeal Inductions Award (for Ordeal Inductions Staff and Elangomats) - dark brown
• Brotherhood Inductions Award (for Brotherhood Inductions Staff and Nimats) - light brown
• Vigil Honor Inductions Award (for Vigil Honor Inductions Staff and Guides) - clear
• NOAC Participant Award - orange
• Chapter Leadership Award - light green
• Lodge Leadership Award - white
Requirements for the Recognition Beads are being created and updated so stay tuned.
Some of these items are available in the Scout Shop at the Scouting Adventure Center. All of the above items are available for sale in the lodge Trading Post which will be at the Camp Trading Post for Summer Camp. The new totem is $5.00, ribbons are $1.00, and beads for up to $0.25.
If you have already updated your Coup Thong to the new rules, please post a picture of it (if possible, next to your old one).
